Time for Dhaka-Beijing to jointly create prosperity: PM's Adviser

"We must seize this historical opportunity to build a future of shared growth and mutual prosperity," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a programme in Dhaka. 

Drawing lessons from China's rapid development over the past four decades, Zabiullah said sustained progress depends on long-term planning, institutional continuity, technological innovation and investment in human capital.

"History teaches us that countries progress not simply because they possess natural resources, but because they continue to learn from one another," he said.

He also stressed that Bangladesh has valuable experiences to share in areas such as microfinance, disaster management, climate resilience and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The four-day "Comparative Governance Forum 2026", jointly organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA), Fudan University, concluded at the BIISS Auditorium. 

The session marked the completion of four days of academic exchanges, policy discussions, and field visits aimed at strengthening Bangladesh-China cooperation on governance, public policy, and institutional development.

Vice Dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University Professor Zhang Ping and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen attended the event as the special guest.

The session was chaired by BIISS Director General Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman.

Professor Zhang Ping appreciated the warm hospitality extended by BIISS and expressed optimism that the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the inaugural session would facilitate sustained collaboration in future. 

Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman observed that the forum had provided an important platform for meaningful academic dialogue and policy exchange between scholars and practitioners from Bangladesh and China.

Focusing on emerging technologies, the Adviser described artificial intelligence as the "next frontier of governance," saying it will increasingly shape public administration, healthcare, education, agriculture and policymaking.

"Artificial intelligence should strengthen human judgment, not replace it. As policymakers, our responsibility is to ensure that AI is ethical, transparent, accountable and inclusive," he said.

The Adviser called for deeper cooperation between Bangladesh and Chinese universities and research institutions in AI, semiconductors, smart manufacturing, digital governance and capacity building for civil servants.

He also proposed expanding joint research, faculty exchanges, dual-degree programmes and collaborative policy networks. "Our universities should not simply exchange students; they should jointly produce knowledge."

Underscoring the importance of implementation, Zabiullah said citizens judge governments not by the number of memorandums of understanding they sign but by the visible results those agreements produce.

"Now comes the most important phase - implementation. Citizens judge governments not by the number of memorandums of understanding, but by measurable outcomes that are visible and tangible," he said.

Zabiullah said Bangladesh-China relations should be judged by the tangible benefits they bring to ordinary people.

"Today, however, citizens no longer evaluate international relations merely by diplomatic statements. They ask a simple question: What benefits does this partnership bring to ordinary people?

"That is why governments today must be measured not only by vision, but also by outcomes. People want to see figures. They want to hear success stories," he said.

Highlighting the growing bilateral relationship, Zabiullah said Bangladesh and China have elevated their ties opening new opportunities in investment, energy, technology, infrastructure, education, artificial intelligence (AI) and people-to-people exchanges.

He said China has remained one of Bangladesh's largest trading partners and a major source of foreign direct investment, while Chinese companies have contributed significantly to infrastructure development, including bridges, highways, power generation, industrial zones and digital connectivity.

Referring to Bangladesh's economic trajectory, the Adviser said the country's development was driven by reform-oriented policies introduced since the early 1990s. However, he alleged that the country's progress was later undermined.

"Since 2008, under the regime of former fleeing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh descended into a severe economic crisis. Her regime weakened democratic institutions and siphoned money abroad from the financial sector, resulting in a decline in the country's international standing, eroding investors' confidence and constraining its full economic potential," the Adviser said.

Calling for stronger academic engagement, he said dialogue among scholars has become as important as dialogue among governments in an increasingly turbulent world.

"Strategic trust begins with intellectual trust. Academic cooperation builds mutual understanding, and mutual understanding ultimately strengthens peace and prosperity," he said.

He urged Bangladesh and China to transform the forum into a long-term knowledge partnership.

"Let this forum become not merely an annual event, but the beginning of a long-term knowledge partnership between Bangladesh and China."

"Together, let us produce research that influences policy. Let us develop governance models that improve people's lives. Let us ensure that the next generation inherits not only stronger infrastructure, but also stronger institutions."

During the session, certificates were awarded to the participants in recognition of their successful completion of the training programme.

Over the four-day programme, participants attended panel discussions, expert lectures, and extensive interactive sessions covering themes such as governance modernisation, targeted poverty alleviation, digital governance and artificial intelligence, the Global Development Initiative, industrialisation, shared development beyond 2030, and Bangladesh-China relations. 

Participants also undertook field visits to the Padma Bridge and the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, providing opportunities to examine Bangladesh's infrastructure development and urban environmental management in practice, reports UNB.